Seared Veal Chop with Anson Mills Tasso Polenta, Collard Green and Pickled Grapes.

Season the veal with salt and pepper. Pan sear in 2 teaspoons of olive oil in a cast iron skillet for about 1 minute on each side. Finish cooking in a 400 degree oven for about 4 minutes, or until medium rare. Serve with tasso polenta, collard green and pickled grapes.

Pickled Grapes

1 bag of seedless red grapes, about 1 ½ pounds

1 shallot julienned

1 T olive oil

1 cup brown sugar

1 cup water

1 cup sherry vinegar

1 t Sichuan pepper

1 t ground ginger

1 cinnamon stick

Wash grapes and place in bowl. Add olive oil, shallot, season with salt and pepper and place on a sheet pan. Roast grapes for 20 minutes in a 375 degree convection oven (or 30 minutes at 400 degrees in standard oven). While grapes are roasting, combine the rest of the ingredients in a pot and bring to a boil. Clean 3 pint mason jars. When grapes are done divide into the mason jars and pour liquid over them. Cap the jars and let cool at room temperature. Grapes will store 2 weeks in the fridge.

Polenta

1 Q chicken stock

1 ½ c polenta

4 oz tasso

1 T butter

2 oz cream

1 t parsley and thyme

Bring stock to a boil with 2 t salt. Mix in polenta making sure there are no lumps. Cook polenta for about 5 minutes or until it becomes thick. Add tasso, butter, cream and herbs. Season to taste.

Collard greens

Blanch one bunch of cleaned collard greens in boiling salted water; shock in ice water. Squeeze the water out of the collards forming a ball. Cut the greens into small pieces.

Heat 1 teaspoon of olive oil in a pan. Sauté greens for 10 seconds and pour 2-3 oz of sweet and sour into pan. Season and serve.

Sweet and sour

1 c red wine vinegar

1 c brown sugar

Heat ingredients until the sugar dissolves. Store in an air tight container. 

Fly Fishing

Enjoy an amazing fly fishing experience at Dancing Bear Lodge & Restaurant! The Little River located on property right across the street is a part of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The park protects one of the last wild trout habitats in the Eastern U.S.  Our Orvis-certified guides are here to lead you on an unforgettable half or full day journey on the Little River. 

Autumn Shine

1 shot of Housemade Apple Moonshine

2 shots of Housemade chilled Apple Cider

In a cocktail shaker add ingredients over ice.  Shake until chilled.  Pour into a martini glass and garnish with a cinnamon stick

Cataloochee

If you are looking for a less crowded route to view colors of fall, Cataloochee is the place to take in the beauty of the Smoky Mountains. Cataloochee offers a great way to take in the fall colors as it is set off from the park’s most popular routes. Visitors are likely to see deer, elk, turkey and other wildlife in the open fields in this secluded valley nestled in the Smoky Mountains. For directions to Cataloochee click here.

Cades Cove

If you are looking to explore the great outdoors of the Smoky Mountains, Cades Cove is the place for you! Cades Cove is one of the most amazing scenic routes in the Smokies to take during the fall season. With the leaves changing, this 11-mile loop is perfect for an afternoon of relaxation. Along with the beautiful fall foliage, you are likely to see some of the Smoky Mountain wildlife roaming about the valley. Not only will you get to experience the nature of Cades cove, but also a bit of history along the way such as the many churches that date back to 1894. For directions and information about Cades Cove click here. 

Scenic Drives in The Smoky Mountains

One of the most spectacular times of the year in the Smoky Mountains is the fall season. Taking a drive is one of the best ways to take in the beauty of the Smokies as the leaves begin to change and autumn colors paint the mountains.

Balsam Mountain Road is a stunning high elevation escape that offers breathtaking views of fall colors. One of the most popular routes in the Smoky Mountains is Newfound Gap Road. Clingmans Dome is another suggestion as it is the highest point in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park which offers magnificent views from above the treetops. A few of the less crowded roads traveled are Heintooga-Round Bottom Road and Cataloochee. Heintooga-Round Bottom Road is a 15-mile, one-way, gravel road leading from Balsam Mountain Road to Big Cove Road. It is about an hour long drive and can only be accessed from the Blue Ridge Parkway. Cataloochee offers a less crowded way to take in the fall colors because it is set off from the park’s most popular routes.

Foothills Parkway is a perfect scenic drive if you are seeking to drive lower elevations. The Foothills Parkway has two routes in which to take a scenic drive including the west route which is a 17-mile drive and the east route is only 5.5 miles long. These routes offer a chance to see the fall colors from lower elevations looking down upon the valley below. Cades Cove is one of the most popular drives in the Smoky Mountains. The 11-mile one-way loop road around Cades Cove is the perfect way to see the Great Smoky Mountains by car. There are designated landmarks on the loop road as well as many scenic pulloffs. Rich Mountain Road in Cades Cove is also recommended as a site to see. These scenic drives are a relaxing way to take in the beauty that fills the Smoky Mountains during the fall season.